Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."